Vote for your favourite in Preston’s Smiles Better awards

The public in Preston have the opportunity to vote for their high street heroes with the return of the Preston, It Smiles Better awards

The prizes are back for a second year after a hugely successful competition in 2015, which saw more than 200 nominations and 98,000 public votes.

They are organised by Preston Business Improvement District (BID) and provide Preston‘s visitors with the chance to show their support for the city’s leisure and retail businesses.

This year, the awards are sponsored by the Fishergate Shopping Centre and St. George’s Shopping Centre.

BID manager Mark Whittle said: “The aim of last year’s awards was to show just how far our great city has progressed in recent years and we want to build on that this time around.

“We have such a vibrant city centre that offers something for everyone, whether people are coming for a shopping trip or a night out.”

Keith Mitchell, manager of the Fishergate Shopping Centre, said: “Preston has a growing reputation as a vibrant shopping and visitor destination that delivers fantastic levels of service. And that is down to the people who work in our shops, restaurants, bars and cafes.

“We’re very pleased to be supporting this initiative.”

The awards were introduced in 2015 as an extension of the ‘Alive After Five Awards’, adding the retail sector to a scheme which had previously focused on the hospitality industry.

General manager at St George’s Shopping Centre, Andrew Stringer, said: “Customer service teams across Preston play an integral role in making sure visitors come back to the city again and again.

“These teams help to give a great first impression of Preston and promote it as an attractive place.”